Michigan football: Breaking down current redshirt situation for each true freshman

New rule allows players to appear in 4 games without burning redshirt

Joe Milton, Christan Turner and Ben VanSumeren are three players who have seen the field for Michigan but could still redshirt this season. (Getty Images)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - There are only two games left in the regular season, but the redshirt situation is very complicated for Michigan football coaches.

First, they must consider the many ways they can handle the new rule, which allows players to appear in four games without burning a year of eligibility. In other words, Jim Harbaugh can use a player in any four games this season without losing the option to redshirt him.

There are several different ways coaches can take advantage of this rule. Players who aren't ready to contribute in big games can appear in four blowouts to get used to the college game. Others might not play all season until rivalry week, when they can be brought out as secret weapons.

Michigan's redshirt situation is further complicated by the uncertainty of postseason play. Ideally, the Wolverines hope to play in the Big Ten championship game and two College Football Playoff games. That would give Michigan five more games.

On the other hand, if the Wolverines drop one of their next two games, they'll only play three total games, including the bowl. Michigan could also play four games if it loses in the Big Ten championship or a potential semifinal game.

Harbaugh has some tricky situations to navigate down the stretch. Here's a look at the redshirt situation for each true freshman.

No redshirt

These are the players who have already appeared in more than four games and cannot redshirt this season.

Even Michigan's loaded defensive line couldn't keep Aidan Hutchinson off the field as a true freshman. He was the highest-ranked recruit in Michigan's 2018 class and has played in all 10 games, making 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Ronnie Bell is another player who's found playing time in a crowded position group. Despite a 2017 class that included a five-star receiver and three four-star wideouts, Bell has played in all 10 games this season. He's made five catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns and run the ball five times for negative 2 yards.

K Jake MoodyRecruiting profile: N/A

As a kicker, Jake Moody's arrival in Ann Arbor didn't generate much buzz, but he's handled all the kickoff duties for the Wolverines through 10 games. He's averaging 59.5 yards per kickoff, including 33 touchbacks in 68 tries.

4 games played

This player has already appeared in four games, so he can't take the field again without burning a year of eligibility.

A tight end in high school, Ben VanSumeren is the latest player to flip to fullback for Harbaugh, following former tight end Khalid Hill and former linebacker Ben Mason. He played fullback against Western Michigan and SMU and helped on special teams against Nebraska and Northwestern, so it's possible he won't play another game this year.

3 games played

This player can appear in one more game this season and still redshirt.

The offensive line looked like a unit that would need a lot of help early in the season, and Jalen Mayfield appeared in three games as a result. But since Ed Warinner has solidified the line, Mayfield hasn't played since the Maryland game. The starting linemen are playing extremely well, so Harbaugh has some flexibility with how he uses Mayfield.

2 games played

These players are halfway to burning a redshirt. This is where the difference between Michigan playing three, four or even five more games this season could really come into play.

It was a bit surprising to see Joe Milton take the field behind Brandon Peters against Rutgers, as he can now only play in two more games without burning a redshirt. Milton is a talented passer who has already shown he can run the ball.

One explanation might be that Milton isn't ready to play in big games such as Ohio State or the Big Ten championship. If that's the case, Harbaugh likely wants to use his four games against less competitive opponents. If Milton was truly the backup after Dylan McCaffrey's injury, he probably wouldn't have wasted one of his four games with Michigan up 35 points at Rutgers.

With Shea Patterson and McCaffrey ahead of him, Milton's time to take the reins at Michigan is probably a couple of years in the future. There's no reason to burn a year of eligibility in 2018 unless Patterson also gets hurt and Milton is definitively better than Peters.

As shocking as it was to see Milton in the game behind Peters, it was even more telling that Christian Turner didn't get into the game. After getting 13 combined carries in the Nebraska and Wisconsin blowouts, it appeared Turner would be a guy who got as many carries as possible against weaker teams to prepare for life after Karan Higdon next season.

But when he didn't play in the blowout, it suggested he might be the type of player Harbaugh values enough to save for the bigger games. Could Turner see the field against Ohio State as a change of pace? Is he being held as an insurance policy if Higdon or Chris Evans get banged up? He seems like one of the true freshmen who could still play a role down the stretch.

Hassan Haskins made the move from running back to linebacker as a true freshman, and he appeared in the first two games on special teams. Why hasn't he played in any of the blowouts since Week 2? Maybe Harbaugh wants him on special teams in big games, or maybe he's still adjusting to his new position.

1 game played

These players have appeared in one game this season and could play in the rest of the games this season unless Michigan makes the Big Ten championship game.

Since officially being dubbed a wide receiver by Harbaugh, Michael Barrett has appeared in one game for Michigan. He was an excellent quarterback in high school, and fits the type of versatile player Harbaugh likes to have on both sides of the ball.

Michigan's second-highest ranked recruit in the 2018 class, Cameron McGrone has fallen victim to a deep and talented linebacker corps this season. He stepped on the field against Nebraska, but only on special teams. With Devin Bush likely to leave at the end of the season, McGrone is one of the young players who can battle for playing time.

Harbaugh can never have too many tight ends, but there are plenty of options ahead of the true freshmen this year. Luke Schoonmaker appeared in the Rutgers game, but he's not likely to get many chances on offense with Zach Gentry, Sean McKeon and Nick Eubanks in the mix.

DB Ryan McCurryRecruiting profile: N/A

A walk-on and brother of Michigan wide receiver Jake McCurry, Ryan McCurry appeared on special teams against Notre Dame.

No games played

These true freshmen are on scholarship but haven't stepped on the field.

Michigan doesn't often use true freshmen along the offensive line, though recently Ben Bredeson and Cesar Ruiz have made impacts in their first years. Ryan Hayes was right behind Mayfield as Michigan's highest-ranked offensive tackle in the 2018 class.

Ridiculously big and strong, it would have been fun to see Julius Welschof get a chance in the Rutgers game. The Germany native could still see the field down the stretch, but it appears Harbaugh views him as a project.

Vincent Gray is the fourth and final cornerback in the class, and the Rochester Hills product is also 6 feet, 2 inches tall with good speed. There are plenty of options for Don Brown to reload the secondary in the near future.